Tag: Debbie Stabenow!

Such an obvious question about16 Democrat Senators that are asking for the delay of an Obamcare tax on medical devices

Sixteen Democratic senators who voted for the Affordable Care Act are asking that one of its fundraising mechanisms, a 2.3 percent tax on medical devices scheduled to take effect January 1, be delayed. Echoing arguments made by Republicans against Obamacare, the Democratic senators say the levy will cost jobs — in a statement Monday, Sen. Al Franken called it a “job-killing tax” — and also impair American competitiveness in the medical device field.

Two other Democrats, senators-elect Joe Donnelly and Elizabeth Warren, also signed the letter. Donnelly voted for Obamacare as a member of the House. Warren was not in Congress at the time.

“The medical technology industry directly employs over 400,000 people in the United States and is responsible for a total of two million skilled manufacturing jobs,” the senators wrote in a December 4 letter to Reid. “We must do all we can to ensure that our country maintains its global leadership position in the medical technology industry and keeps good jobs here at home.”

Nine senators tied for most liberal in National Journal’s 2010 Vote Ratings issue. Here’s a look at the 10 most-liberal senators:

For the 10 most-liberal representatives head to the end of the gallery.

Tied for first—Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio

Although he could face a tough reelection battle in 2012, Brown shows no signs of trimming his sails. He was tied as the most-liberal senator in 2009, making it two years straight he’s been tied for most liberal.

Tied for first—Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md.

Both Maryland senators tied most-liberal senator in the 2010 vote ratings. Cardin also tied for most-liberal senator in 2009.

Tied for first—Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.

Leahy was the 29th most-liberal senator in 2009 with a composite score of 73.8.

Tied for first—Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich.

Levin tied for 11th most liberal in the 2009 vote ratings with a composite score of 84.3.

Tied for first—Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md.

Mikulski ranked eighth most liberal in 2009 with a composite score of 85.2, which was a more-liberal score then the 83.3 that tied her for most liberal in 2010.

Tied for first—Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

Reid made a big jump to tie as the most-liberal senator in the 2010 ratings. He was 22nd most liberal in 2009 and the 25th most liberal in 2008.

Tied for first—Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.

Sanders is the only independent senator with a most-liberal vote rating in 2010.

Tied for first—Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich.

Stabenow ranked the 21st most-liberal senator in 2009 with a composite score of 78.3.

In 2010, four of the 10 most-liberal members of the House were women (pictured above). Rep. Niki Tsongas, D-Mass., almost made the list as the 11th most-liberal member in 2010, a big jump from the 51st most liberal in 2009.